It appears that just when professional wrestling enthusiasts believe they have a grasp on things, WWE manages to pull the metaphorical rug out from under them.
So, what if WrestleMania 40 doesn’t feature The Rock facing off against Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes? What if instead, he squares up against Seth Rollins?
At this juncture, fans should be prepared to entertain nearly any notion. However, this particular scenario feels like a particularly potent curveball that WWE could throw into the mix.
And who could possibly object?
Certainly, Rollins has hinted at aligning with Rhodes for ‘Mania, at least to some degree. His talk about acting as a “shield” due to his unique ability to contend with The Tribal Chief is an obvious piece of storytelling.
But what if this notion of being a shield involves taking out The Rock during the Night 1 main event, leaving Reigns isolated and vulnerable? The concept being that Solo Sikoa loses a match, and Jimmy Uso falls to Jey in their rumored dream singles match at ‘Mania.
Not a bad twist, right? Once this idea gains traction, it’s difficult to halt its momentum. Rollins was recently deprived of his first ‘Mania main event due to CM Punk’s triceps injury.
This could be a fitting way to compensate, thrusting him into a high-profile match and seamlessly integrating him into one of the most compelling storylines of recent times.
Furthermore, considering the narrative possibilities, Rollins’ involvement could eventually lead to a direct challenge to Reigns once more. Perhaps in the future, the former Architect of the Shield emerges as the one to finally halt Reigns’ historic title reign?
But returning to the immediate scenario, a Rollins-Rock showdown would inject a breath of fresh air compared to Reigns’ typical title defenses. While Rollins’ performance has been commendable, there has been a sense of staleness creeping in, which could be rejuvenated by this matchup.
And if anyone can draw an epic match out of a 51-year-old Rock, who at times appears fatigued after his entrance, it’s Rollins. After all, it wasn’t long ago that Kevin Owens achieved a similar feat with Steve Austin.
Admittedly, there’s the matter of the men’s Elimination Chamber determining the challenger for Rollins’ title.
However, there are conventional wrestling storytelling tropes that could address this, such as Rock entering the chamber, Damian Priest’s Money in the Bank contract, Rollins pulling double duty at ‘Mania, and so forth.
In fact, Rock’s involvement in a power struggle with Triple H could provide a narrative avenue for circumventing these obstacles.
The crux of this idea lies in setting up the overarching storyline while keeping Rhodes free to triumph over Reigns. Assuming WWE desires this outcome and doesn’t postpone it until Rhodes surpasses Hulk Hogan’s third all-time title reign next fall.
Regardless of the outcome, this approach enables WWE to reserve the Rock vs. Reigns matchup for a later date, perhaps SummerSlam or WrestleMania 41.
While this matchup doesn’t necessitate a title, the prospect of the undisputed strap being on the line adds further intrigue. Moreover, having heel “Hollywood” Rock in the mix for over a year while building towards such an encounter is certainly enticing.
In essence, this presents a rare opportunity for WWE to intricately intertwine both ‘Mania main events. The Bloodline has undeniably been a standout element in pro wrestling for years, so why not extend its narrative reach?
For instance, in this hypothetical scenario, Rock could triumph over Rollins with interference from the Bloodline, sparking significant tension between himself and Reigns over the titles. This would also afford Rollins the opportunity to recuperate from any injuries.
Alternatively, if Rock emerges victorious and Rhodes does the same, it would position Reigns as a clear second-in-command within his faction, paving the way for a gradual transition back to being a fan-favorite babyface, poised to take on the part-time Rock.
Thus far, WWE has demonstrated adeptness in keeping the narrative fluid and responsive to fan desires, enhancing the entertainment value week after week. Consequently, brainstorming such speculative ideas becomes an enjoyable exercise, heightening anticipation for each episode.
Realistically, the situation may evolve into Rollins defending his title on Night 1 against the chamber winner, followed by a triple threat to conclude Night 2—albeit with uncertain outcomes.
Nevertheless, Rollins remains a prominent figure with a rich history involving Reigns and is open to various possibilities. He stands out as the ideal opponent for Rock this year, especially as WWE aims to defy expectations and maintain the high caliber of long-term storytelling.
